A Salute to Veterans

Tributes to the military have long been portrayed on covers of The Saturday Evening Post, from situations serious to humorous. In honor of Veterans Day, we would like to share some of our favorites.


The first Post military cover? An action depiction of U.S. soldiers on horseback in the Philippines.

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With Our Fighters in the Philippines
George Gibbs
March 31, 1900


He’s in the Army now. A seldom seen cover from December 1942 by John Atherton shows a faithful dog and a photo. From the uniform, we can guess where its master is. We hope he returns home soon – Spot is itching to go hunting.

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Patient Dog
John Atherton
December 12, 1942


The enlisted also included members of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), as shown in the cover from 1942 by an artist named Gilbert Bundy.

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WAC Admires Hat
Gilbert Bundy
September 26, 1942


A WWI soldier shares a humble Christmas meal in this endearing 1917 cover by the prolific J.C. Leyendecker.

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Soldier’s Christmas
J. C. Leyendecker
December 22, 1917


On the May 14, 1927, cover by E.M. Jackson, this sailor accomplishes an important mission overseas — finding a genuine American hot dog!

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American Hot Dogs
E.M. Jackson
May 14, 1927


Celebrating soldiers, sailors, and marines, the 1937 cover by John Sheridan captures all three with a parade below in their honor.

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Army, Navy & Marines
John Sheridan
November 13, 1937


Norman Rockwell honored the military during the WWII years with several covers of the “every soldier” he named Willie Gillis. We’ve shown Willie’s military adventures before, but not this one from 1941. Rockwell’s famous private is home on leave, snuggled under the quilts and enjoying the luxury of sleeping late. The sign above the bed echoes our ardent wish for all our military men and women: Home Sweet Home.

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Willie Gillis Home on Leave
Norman Rockwell
November 29, 1941


After Forest Gump, actor Gary Sinise became an advocate for wounded soldiers. Check out Jeanne Wolf’s interview with Sinise from the September/October 2014 issue here.

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Gary Sinese
John Jay Cabuay
September/October 2014